Peter Singer establishes a philosophical framework for the ethical treatment of non-human animals by introducing the concept of speciesism. He argues that the capacity to suffer, rather than intelligence or linguistic ability, should be the primary criterion for moral consideration. The book documents specific practices within factory farming and scientific laboratory testing, detailing how these industries prioritize human convenience over animal sentience. Singer applies utilitarian logic to demonstrate that the interests of a being should be weighted equally regardless of its species, ultimately advocating for a shift toward vegetarianism and the abolition of institutionalized animal exploitation.
This text serves readers interested in applied ethics, zoology, and social movements. It provides a logical basis for those questioning the morality of industrial food production and animal experimentation. Readers walk away with a systematic method for evaluating their dietary choices and consumer habits based on the principle of equal consideration of interests. The book functions as a foundational document for understanding the development of modern animal rights philosophy and the biological reality of animal pain.
Deep; a moderate read.
Best for readers like The Deep Diver. Which reader are you?
- Published
- 1975
- Language
- EN
